The Development and Modernization of Minangkabau People in Sumatera Barat in Indonesia and Its Impact on Local Identity

Abstract

Development and modernization are government programs that are aimed at transforming a country into a more advanced condition. Since its independence in 1945, there have been three government systems conducting these programs in Indonesia. From 1945 to 1966, the programs of development and modernization were carried out by the Old Order regime. The New Order regime took the task in 1966 until it began to unravel in 1998. After a fundamental reform in 1998, the duty of carrying out development and modernization across the country is no longer in the hands of the central government in Jakarta, but handed over to local governances or provincial governances. It is also worth noting that reforms in 1998 granted local governments a greater autonomy to manage their regions. These three government systems have significant differences in fulfilling their responsibility in developing and modernizing Indonesia. Consequently, these differences also have a significant impact on creating scores of social changes, especially in terms of identity change of local people in Indonesia. The most prevalent difference, in regard to identity of the local people, can be observed between the rule of the New Order regime and the administration of local autonomy government.